Railway rail joint



A ril 29, 1930, s. H. GRIFFITHS RAILWAY RAIL JOINT Filed NOV. 9, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 29-, 1930. GRIFFITHS 1,756,859

RAILWAY RAIL JOINT Filed Nov. 9, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 29, 1930. v GRIFFITHS 1,756,859

Iwwezzior: figpiimw E W I Patented Apr. 29, 1930 PATENT oFFi SEP'IIMUS H. GRIFFITHS, OF WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA RAILWAY RAIL JOINT Application filed November 9, 1929. Serial No. 406,074.

This invention relates to novel improve ments in railway rail joints, and has special reference to the construction of the ends of the rails and the rail joint splice bars or 5 plates, whereby the clamping effect against the track rails at and near the meeting ends is more readily accomplished and adapted to compensate for the wear which usually occurs at and near the said meeting ends of the rails.

Theprime object of this invention is to provide simple, novel, durable and thoroughly efficient means for safely and reliably uniting'and securing the meeting ends of railway track rails together, said means serving to materially increase the longevity of the rail joint and track rails.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safe and reliable railway rail joint composed of a minimum number of parts, with means for firmlysecuring and locking the several parts together when properly assembled, said joint including novel means adapted to compensate for the wear which usually occurs at and near the juncture of the meeting ends of the track rails.

Other objects of the invention are to so construct my novel rail joint, that the use of the many securing bolts and nuts ordinarily employed may be entirely dispensed with; that the meeting ends of the track rails Wlll alwayspossess a maximum amount of vertical strength, together with a maximum amount of lateral strength and rigidity to successfully withstand the enormous strain to which the rails are subjected during the travel of the heavy rolling stock thereover.

Further objects of the invention are to so construct the meeting ends of the track rails that the upper splice bars connected therewith serve to bridge over the joint or juncture' of the rails thus obviating and preventing the pounding and damage to the rails at said juncture which usually occurs, and at the same time said splice bars are so formed as to fit snugly and tightly against the under surface of the tread of the rails in order to always maintain the treads in smooth alinement, and further serving, when properly adjusted, to coact in connection with the lower splice bars and base plate to securely and safely lock the meeting ends of the rails together and always maintain the rails in their safe and proper alinement, yet freely permitting and allowing for theordinary expansion and contraction of the track rails to which they are subjected.

The foregoing and such other objects as may appear from the ensuing description are accomplished by the arrangement, construction, location and combination of the several parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, it being understood that slight changes in the precise form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification it will be seen that:

Figure l is a side elevation of the improved means embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof. 7

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken in the plane of the dotted lines 3 3, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective showing one end of a track rail with the splice bars assembled and locked in contact with the end of the rail at one side thereof, and the base plate disposed beneath the base ofthe rail.

Figure 5 is a perspective showing the upper splice and locking bar or plate detached from the rail.

Figure 6 is a perspective showing the lower splice and locking bar or plate removed from the rail.

Figure 7 is a perspective showing a slightly modified form of base plate.

Figure 8 is a perspective showing a slightly modified form of upper splice or locking bar or plate, and c Figure 9 is a perspective showing a slightly modified form of lower splice and locking bar or plate.

In the embodiment of my invention as illustrated it will be seen that the numeral 1 indicates the joint end portion of each track rail, the meeting end portion of each rail being provided with a longitudinal slot extending from its extreme end to a suitable distance rearwardly formed through the tread of the rail at each side of the central Web portion of the rail and disposed beneath the base portion 4 of the meeting ends of the rails is a base plate 5, which extends any suitable or desirable distance beyond the end of each rail and upon which the rails are seated.

The numeral 6 indicates the upper splice and locking bar or plate formed from a single piece of metal, preferably of a high grade forged steel, having an upwardly centrally disposed extension 2 adapted to be fitted within slots formed in each end of each track rail, the upper face of the extension bridging the meeting ends of the rails and terminating on a level with the upper face of the rails, thus forming a continuous bearing surface for the wheels of the rolling stock as it travels over the joint. The upper face of this bar or plate 6, at each side of the extension 2, is formed with a curved upper face 8 so formed that it is adapted to fit snugly and tightly in contact with the lower surface of therail tread, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, while the lowermost face of the bar 6 is provided with a series of inclined teeth or serrations extending throughout its length, and said lowermost face is gradually inclined from end to end, for the purpose hereinafter described.

The numeral 10 designates the lower splice and locking bar or plate, its upper face 8 being provided with a series of teeth or serrations, said teeth orserrations being inclined in a direction opposite to the teeth or serrations formed on the lower face of the upper splice bar 6, said upper and lower toothed surfaces being adapted to engage and lock the bars 6 and 10 in engagement when properly assembled. The said bar 10 is provided at one side of its toothed upper surface with an upwardly disposed eaten sion adapted to retain the upper bar 6 in proper relation with respect to the lower bar, while the inner and lower face of each bar 10 conforms with and is adapted to fit snugly into Contact with the and base portion the J. when assembled thin the base plateii, the bar 10 being with a downwardl d. outwardl outer sic e face 12, a tact with the inward formed on the base p within the base plate, Figs. 3 and ithe 2 By reference to 2' Y v will be seen that a mot ilie o; 16 is showmsaid plate having and inwardly inclined extension reception of the rail base and the lbar, and provided with l; t ension at each side thereof, sait. i be provided with a series of notches 1? msaese reception of the usual railway fastening spikes for securing said base plate to the usual railway cross-tie or ties.

Fig. 8 of the drawings shows a slightly modified form of upper splice bar 20 provided with a centrally upward extension adapted to be fitted in the slotted ends of the rails, its lower inclined face being provided with inclined teeth or serrations 22 extending partly throughout its length, the remaining portion of its lower face being smooth, while'Fig. 9 shows a modified form of lower splice bar-23, its upper surface being inclined in opposite relation to the lower surface of the upper splice bar 20, and its teeth or serrations 24 being formed at the end portion in opposite relation to the upper bar, and with a smooth opposite end portion, the incline of the teeth or serrations-being in opposite relation with respect to the teeth 22 formed on said upper bar 20.

It will be perceived that when the several parts of this type of joint shall have been properly assembled and locked together all of the parts will be tightly secured and will insure that the track rails are maintained in proper alinement under all conditions, and

in the event that the joint, or parts thereof, should become slightly loosened due to wear or excessive strain, it is simply necessary for a railway track employee to strike the outer end of the lower splice bar one or more blows with a suitable sledge which will cause the inclined engaging upper faces of the lower bar to move forwardly thus forcing the upper bar upwardly thereby forcing said upper bar into more intense contact with the rail while the engaging faces of the upper and lower bars will remainin locked relation with each other, as will be readily understood.

It will be obvious that all of the parts may be made of any suitable or desirable metal, but that they are preferably formed from a high grade of steel possessing the required strength and durability, and that the base plate and splice bars may be made in any suitable length and dimensions such as may be desired or required to properly serve the purposes intended.

The assembling'of the several parts of my improved rail joint may be briefly described as follows:

When the meeting ends of the rails shall lave been properly seated upon the base plate 5, it is simply necessary to pass the u; ward 2 of the upper splice bar 6 upwardly thin the slotted portion of the rails until are curved surface of the bar rests in contact the lower surface of the rail tread, then bysliding the smallest end portion of the lower bar beneath the smallest end portion of the upper bar, the inclined toothed faces-of the two bars will engage with each other, and owing to the inclined faces of the respective splice bars, the further the lower lSU ' ing provided with op face being reversely terchangeable, and may be used at either side of the track rails.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to receive by Letters Patent is:

1. A rail joint of the character described, comprising track rails formed with a slotted portion at each end, a base plate disposed beneath the end portions of the rails, an upper splice bar formed with an upward extension fitted within the slotted portion of each rail, and a lower splice bar disposed beneath the upper splice bar, each of said splice bars bepositely inclined looking faces.

2. A rail joint of the character described, comprising track rails formed with slots through the tread at each end of the rail, a base plate upon which'the ends of the rails are seated, an upper splice bar inclined and toothed upon its lower face and adapted to engage said slots, and a lower splice bar inclined and toothed upon its u per face adapted to slidably engage into 100 ed contact with the lower face of the upper splice bar.

A rail joint of the character described,

comprising track rails formed with a slotted portion through the tread at each side of the.

longitudinal center of each rail at each end portion, a base plate for the reception of the ends of the rails, a splice bar adapted to be fitted inthe slotted portion of the rail and provided with an inclined toothed lower surface, and a lower splice bar having an inclined toothed upper surface, said upper surinclined and toothed with respect to said wer surface.

4. A rail joint of the character described, comprising track rails with. slots .formed through the tread portion at each end of each rail, a base plate upon which the ends of the rails are seated, an upper splice bar provided with an upward centrally disposed extension adapted to be fitted within said slots, said bar having an inclined toothed lower surface, and a lower splice bar havin an inclined and toothed upper surface, sald upper surface being reversely inclined and toothed with relation to said lower surface.

5. A rail joint of the character described,v

splice bar formed with a centrally disposed upward extension adapted to be fitted within said slotted portions and a curved portion at each end of said'extension adapted to contact with the lower face of the rail tread, a

lower splice bar slidingly disposed between the upper bar and base plate, and means formed in the engaging faces of said splice bars for locking them together.

6. A rail joint of the character described, comprising track rails formed with a slotted portion at eachend of each rail, an upper 'splice bar adapted to be fitted into the said slotted (portions, a lower splice bar slidingly I dispose beneath said upper bar, and means formed upon the engaging faces of each splice bar for adjustably locking them in contact. a

7. A rail joint, comprising track rails vformed with a slotted portion at each side of the longitudinal center of each rail at each end, a base plate for the reception of the rail ends, an upper splice bar formed with an up ward extension fitted into said slotted porward extension fitted within said slots, a lower splice bar slidingly fitted within the base plate beneath said upper bar, and means formed on each bar for adjustably locking them together.

SEPTIMUS HyGRIFFITHS. 

